Rajat Sawhney, Senior Vice President, ADTOI; CEO, Rave Tours & Travels
In 2026, hotels and airlines will witness better occupancy levels. However, the question remains whether a healthy percentage of this growth will flow through tour operators and travel agents. Airlines have unleashed special campaigns to woo clients directly. Tour operators therefore have to move away from selling standalone hotel rooms or airline tickets and instead focus on offering complete, value-driven travel packages. Domestic tourism will continue to be a frontrunner and with airlines opening up newer international destinations, outbound tourism will see continuous growth. Tour operators must innovate their business structures for sustained growth. Destination weddings, events, adventure tours, wellness, and MICE segments need to be proactively focused on.
Chander Mansharamani, Vice Chairman, ICPB
ICPB’s priority for 2026 is to strengthen India’s global MICE profile through structured marketing, international outreach, and institutional reform. We must prioritise source markets, develop an annual marketing calendar, allocate focused media budgets, and evaluate the economic impact of MICE events more rigorously. Participation in global trade shows such as IMEX and IBTM, along with ICPB functioning as a centralised marketing bureau, will be essential.
Abbas Moiz, President, TAFI
For TAFI, 2026 is about strengthening relationships and reinforcing unity within the travel trade community. Our focus remains on facilitating constructive dialogue to address and resolve differences among stakeholders and members across regions. TAFI chapters across India, supported by strong regional leadership and the national committee, are actively using digitalisation and innovation to help members navigate evolving policies and stakeholder requirements. As our membership continues to grow, new chapters are being established, and digital communication and membership processes are being further strengthened.
Aashish Gupta, CCEO, FAITH
At FAITH, our vision for 2026 is to work collaboratively with government and industry to enable these aspirational policy reforms in a structured manner. We aim to position tourism as a vital economic pillar that drives employment, foreign exchange earnings, and regional development.
Gajesh Girdhar, President, NIMA
For NIMA, 2026 is about establishing ourselves as the definitive global voice of India’s MICE industry. Our focus is on expanding NIMA’s international presence across Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Australia, and North America, while strengthening domestic collaboration and industry capability. Through global partnerships, policy advocacy, thought leadership, digital innovation, and sustainability-driven initiatives, we will actively support members with market access, knowledge sharing, and capacity building. By 2026, NIMA aims to play a pivotal role in positioning India as a trusted, competitive, and future-ready global MICE powerhouse.
Rajiv Mehra, Immediate Past President, IATO
For IATO, 2026 represents a year of consolidation, global outreach, and leadership in shaping India’s inbound tourism narrative. Our priority is to strengthen India’s positioning as a preferred long-haul and experiential destination through close collaboration with the Government of India, state tourism boards, and global partners. We aim to deepen engagement in key source markets across Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, East Asia, and emerging regions, while expanding skill development, digital adoption, and responsible tourism practices among our members.
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